Mass for Immigrants Held in Los Angeles On July 20, over 5,000 faithful attended a mass for immigrants, presided over by Archbishop Jose Gomez. Claire Padama, President of the Los Angeles Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, led a Vincentian group from her conference, along with VOP representatives Sal Gonzalez and Darlene Miller. The Vincentian group joined several other ministries in processing into the cathedral before the mass. Archbishop Gomez spoke about the need for comprehensive immigration reform and protections for the 57,000 unaccompanied minors who have crossed the border into the U.S. from Central America. Several immigrant families offered testimonials about their plight and problems. After the mass, Archbishop Gomez met with Sal and Darlene, complimented them for their work and extended a special blessing to the two of them.Archdiocesan Delegation Visits Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors at the Port Hueneme Navy Base The unaccompanied immigrant minors being sheltered at the Port Hueneme Navy Base have been well take care of and almost all have been successfully connected with relatives or sponsors, resulting in the early August closing of the shelter. That was the consensus of nine representatives from the archdiocese who visited the facilities at the Navy Base on Wednesday, August 6. There has also been a slowdown in the number of minors coming across the border, explained federal officials who conducted the tour and who are responsible for the care, feeding, housing and custody of the minors. The representatives from the archdiocese included Monsignors Michael Jennet, Gregory Cox, Timothy Dyer, Paul Albee; Father Paul Griesgraber; Sister Cecilia Canales; Jaime Huerta, with the Archbishop's Office of Life, Peace and Justice, and local members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Sal Gonzalez and Darlene Miller. Jaime Huerta described Sal's role as successfully brokering a deal with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that made the visit possible. All of the archdiocesan representatives were impressed by how quickly several agencies collaborated to set up the facility, provide a wide range of care and services, including sleeping quarters, showers and bathroom facilities, feeding, medical care, intake services, counseling, legal services, and responsiveness to the spiritual needs of the minors. The Navy provided a building where much of the care took place. The Office of Refugee Resettlement, an agency of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, ran the shelter. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also provided shelter guidance and services. Ventura County provided health care and emergency equipment generally deployed during disasters. "We even saw a barbershop and hair salon," was the comment by one of the delegates. "The children looked happy and in good health," was another comment. Probably the most impressive accomplishment is that almost all of the minors who have stayed at the facility have been connected with and released to relatives and sponsors. When the representatives visited the facility, there were 23 remaining minors. At one time, the facility had housed 597 minors. A significant and remaining issue is what happens after the minors are released to sponsors and relatives. All will need to resolve their immigration status to remain in the U.S. Meanwhile there is talk in Congress that the minors should be returned to their countries of origin. Church agencies, including Catholic Charities will need to work with immigration attorneys to reach out to those immigrant minors who may need assistance with the hearing and legal process. Reported by Sal Gonzalez, Los Angeles, CA